How the hell do these idiotic Federations expect to be treated with respect when they make ludicrous decisions like appointing Didier Six as Togo's coach? This is just his second coaching job with a gap of over a quarter of a century between them and the first one was over rapidly. Either get genuine talent that has proved it is up to the job (Pfister, le Roy, etc.) who can advance the country's football from Europe or give local coaches a chance.

Kimbo wrote:There's currently an argument going on between Newcastle and Nigeria after Pardew announced Shola wasn't going.

I know, but if Keshi calls him up he has to go or announce his international retirement - a bit silly as he only just got selected. They have a 32 man provisional squad to be reduced to 23. Pardew may be trying to pressurise Ameobi into not going. Ultimately it is up to the player and Keshi. If selected, he has to go or face a club ban imposed by FIFA. This is not a friendly that can be ignored.

Kimbo wrote:There's currently an argument going on between Newcastle and Nigeria after Pardew announced Shola wasn't going.

I know, but if Keshi calls him up he has to go or announce his international retirement - a bit silly as he only just got selected. They have a 32 man provisional squad to be reduced to 23. Pardew may be trying to pressurise Ameobi into not going. Ultimately it is up to the player and Keshi. If selected, he has to go or face a club ban imposed by FIFA. This is not a friendly that can be ignored.

If he goes that should be him finished at Newcastle, he's a championship player that is very fortunate to have spent his entire career here, his local roots have given him alot of leniency. Nigeria is his 2nd choice country and he probably wouldn't even be a starter, I don't think it would be wise for him to side with them. The guy has a Geordie accent ffs, he can't pick Nigeria over Newcastle.

Kimbo wrote:There's currently an argument going on between Newcastle and Nigeria after Pardew announced Shola wasn't going.

I know, but if Keshi calls him up he has to go or announce his international retirement - a bit silly as he only just got selected. They have a 32 man provisional squad to be reduced to 23. Pardew may be trying to pressurise Ameobi into not going. Ultimately it is up to the player and Keshi. If selected, he has to go or face a club ban imposed by FIFA. This is not a friendly that can be ignored.

If he goes that should be him finished at Newcastle, he's a championship player that is very fortunate to have spent his entire career here, his local roots have given him alot of leniency. Nigeria is his 2nd choice country and he probably wouldn't even be a starter, I don't think it would be wise for him to side with them. The guy has a Geordie accent ffs, he can't pick Nigeria over Newcastle.

You have to bear in mind that this is his last chance to play in a World Cup as well. A lot of players choose their 'second' country for that reason. Would you deprive a player of that chance when if it happened to an England player abroad there'd be a stink about it? Personally I think the solution to this problem of ACN in Europe is obvious - a winter break. Morocco's Botola League takes a 40 day break over the ACN. This is not a new issue, but I agree the decision of Ameobi to discover he's African is dubious.

A far worse one was Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. He should have had to compensate Celta de Vigo over opting for Ghana after signing for them on loan as a Dutchman in 2008 - disgraceful that FIFA tolerated that. At very least they should have made him wait until after ACN 2008.

By the way Kaiser Chiefs' manager and former Bafana Bafana coach and Finland too Stuart Baxter has a real grievance against South Africa; they contribute a few players and if they are injured on national team duty in friendlies (and tournaments) SAFA says the team gets no compensation. That's disgraceful. Any player injured on national team duty should mean compensation and payment of treatment by the national federation.

Rosicky wrote:Europe should have a winter break to accommodate the ACN!?

And for obvious reasons, which I wouldn't expect a Eurocentric eejut like you to understand. The ACN is over 50 years old. It is older than the Euros; it has been every two years and in January for ages. As an international tournament on FIFA's schedule it has precedence over club football. European clubs have known about it BEFORE signing African players, so they can hardly complain about it afterwards. Many of these players were signed after being scouted at these tournaments. Either they should stop whinging about something they can't change or adapt to deal with the situation, such as adopting winter breaks. Various European leagues already take winter breaks, which would rest players and stop them playing in adverse weather conditions which have caused postponements on occasion anyway. It's actually a pretty obvious solution and one that benefits the European clubs too. Wouldn't expect you to get it.

EMP wrote:You have to bear in mind that this is his last chance to play in a World Cup as well. A lot of players choose their 'second' country for that reason. Would you deprive a player of that chance when if it happened to an England player abroad there'd be a stink about it? Personally I think the solution to this problem of ACN in Europe is obvious - a winter break. Morocco's Botola League takes a 40 day break over the ACN. This is not a new issue, but I agree the decision of Ameobi to discover he's African is dubious.

A far worse one was Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. He should have had to compensate Celta de Vigo over opting for Ghana after signing for them on loan as a Dutchman in 2008 - disgraceful that FIFA tolerated that. At very least they should have made him wait until after ACN 2008.

By the way Kaiser Chiefs' manager and former Bafana Bafana coach and Finland too Stuart Baxter has a real grievance against South Africa; they contribute a few players and if they are injured on national team duty in friendlies (and tournaments) SAFA says the team gets no compensation. That's disgraceful. Any player injured on national team duty should mean compensation and payment of treatment by the national federation.

By the way enjoy Xmas ya miserable bar-steward

We're in a relegation battle, now is not the time for experimenting with being African. The truth is if it wasn't for Shola's Geordie accent he would have spent his career in the championship and the Nigerians wouldn't even know who he is. Not only has he been gifted a career in the premier league, I would say he's been pretty well paid throughout, probably around the 15-25k range for the past decade. I would not be impressed if he chose a bench role for Nigeria ahead of us.

EMP wrote:You have to bear in mind that this is his last chance to play in a World Cup as well. A lot of players choose their 'second' country for that reason. Would you deprive a player of that chance when if it happened to an England player abroad there'd be a stink about it? Personally I think the solution to this problem of ACN in Europe is obvious - a winter break. Morocco's Botola League takes a 40 day break over the ACN. This is not a new issue, but I agree the decision of Ameobi to discover he's African is dubious.

A far worse one was Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. He should have had to compensate Celta de Vigo over opting for Ghana after signing for them on loan as a Dutchman in 2008 - disgraceful that FIFA tolerated that. At very least they should have made him wait until after ACN 2008.

By the way Kaiser Chiefs' manager and former Bafana Bafana coach and Finland too Stuart Baxter has a real grievance against South Africa; they contribute a few players and if they are injured on national team duty in friendlies (and tournaments) SAFA says the team gets no compensation. That's disgraceful. Any player injured on national team duty should mean compensation and payment of treatment by the national federation.

By the way enjoy Xmas ya miserable bar-steward

We're in a relegation battle, now is not the time for experimenting with being African. The truth is if it wasn't for Shola's Geordie accent he would have spent his career in the championship and the Nigerians wouldn't even know who he is. Not only has he been gifted a career in the premier league, I would say he's been pretty well paid throughout, probably around the 15-25k range for the past decade. I would not be impressed if he chose a bench role for Nigeria ahead of us.

Like I said, Kimbo: I have time and sympathy for your case. I think Ameobi has behaved opportunistically. He apparently turned down Nigeria before, but it seems clear that he has an eye on the World Cup. The final decision now is Keshi's. Irony is I don't think he is even good enough for Nigeria's bench given some of the talent they have at their disposal and some they are not taking. By the way I think they will come knocking for his brother soon.

They do scout the Championship too. Danny Shittu has been recalled, despite playing for Milwall.

Ameobi does not get to choose. If he is selected he has to go. If he discovers an injury then he can be stopped from playing for club. If he 'retires' from international football it will end any chance he has of playing in the World Cup, even if he reverses that decision, which I suspect is his real goal.

As a FIFA sanctioned tournament, players called up to the final squad have to be released and even a couple of weeks early. The Super-Eagles tend to implode so there is a chance their players will return early anyway.

EMP wrote:Ameobi does not get to choose. If he is selected he has to go. If he discovers an injury then he can be stopped from playing for club. If he 'retires' from international football it will end any chance he has of playing in the World Cup, even if he reverses that decision, which I suspect is his real goal.

As a FIFA sanctioned tournament, players called up to the final squad have to be released and even a couple of weeks early. The Super-Eagles tend to implode so there is a chance their players will return early anyway.

I don't get this though, how can they legally force players to play for a team they have no contract with? If a player refused to go could he not appeal the ban and even take it to court?

No this is a FIFA sanctioned top tournament. It is well known that international football takes precedence on international breaks and international tournaments sanctioned by FIFA. If it were a youth tournament the clubs can get their way. See what was done, especially by England in the Under-20 World Cup in 2011 - FIFA's fault for that one though.

This is the African equivalent of the Euros or South American Championship. Invitations cannot be refused without consequences. About the only way out is international retirement, or getting lucky and player not getting picked. Pardew is being a complete ass about this. His best hope is that Keshi reaches the decision that he doesn't want Ameobi. Pardew might just be pissing Keshi off enough to pick him and hardly use him unless absolutely needed. Pardew should just have left it to Keshi, or persuaded Ameobi not to try for Nigeria, but that ship has sailed.

Players can choose to retire, but it would be utterly bizarre for Ameobi to do that, having got to the provisional squad after only just making his debut.

EMP wrote:No this is a FIFA sanctioned top tournament. It is well known that international football takes precedence on international breaks and international tournaments sanctioned by FIFA. If it were a youth tournament the clubs can get their way. See what was done, especially by England in the Under-20 World Cup in 2011 - FIFA's fault for that one though.

This is the African equivalent of the Euros or South American Championship. Invitations cannot be refused without consequences. About the only way out is international retirement, or getting lucky and player not getting picked. Pardew is being a complete ass about this. His best hope is that Keshi reaches the decision that he doesn't want Ameobi. Pardew might just be pissing Keshi off enough to pick him and hardly use him unless absolutely needed. Pardew should just have left it to Keshi, or persuaded Ameobi not to try for Nigeria, but that ship has sailed.

Players can choose to retire, but it would be utterly bizarre for Ameobi to do that, having got to the provisional squad after only just making his debut.

But FIFA is just a football organization, how can it be LEGAL to force someone who doesn't have a contract with you to work for you, and if they don't work for you ban them from working for someone they do have a contract with? It just sounds dodgy as fuck to me.

EMP wrote:Ameobi does not get to choose. If he is selected he has to go. If he discovers an injury then he can be stopped from playing for club. If he 'retires' from international football it will end any chance he has of playing in the World Cup, even if he reverses that decision, which I suspect is his real goal.

As a FIFA sanctioned tournament, players called up to the final squad have to be released and even a couple of weeks early. The Super-Eagles tend to implode so there is a chance their players will return early anyway.

I don't get this though, how can they legally force players to play for a team they have no contract with? If a player refused to go could he not appeal the ban and even take it to court?

I think it stems from the membership of FIFA. The various Federations are members of FIFA which sanctions them to organise their club competitions. As such the competitions are subject to FIFA regulations - the FIFA charter that Federations agree to abide by acts a contract and that includes this. Ameobi's room for manoeuvre and Pardew's too was the Venezuela friendly that Ameobi chose to go to and that smacked of desperation over the World Cup to me. He thinks this is his last chance.

EMP wrote:No this is a FIFA sanctioned top tournament. It is well known that international football takes precedence on international breaks and international tournaments sanctioned by FIFA. If it were a youth tournament the clubs can get their way. See what was done, especially by England in the Under-20 World Cup in 2011 - FIFA's fault for that one though.

This is the African equivalent of the Euros or South American Championship. Invitations cannot be refused without consequences. About the only way out is international retirement, or getting lucky and player not getting picked. Pardew is being a complete ass about this. His best hope is that Keshi reaches the decision that he doesn't want Ameobi. Pardew might just be pissing Keshi off enough to pick him and hardly use him unless absolutely needed. Pardew should just have left it to Keshi, or persuaded Ameobi not to try for Nigeria, but that ship has sailed.

Players can choose to retire, but it would be utterly bizarre for Ameobi to do that, having got to the provisional squad after only just making his debut.

But FIFA is just a football organization, how can it be LEGAL to force someone who doesn't have a contract with you to work for you, and if they don't work for you ban them from working for someone they do have a contract with? It just sounds dodgy as fuck to me.

Kimbo, he has agreed to play for Nigeria, which is run by the Nigerian Federation. It is the NFF that would seek FIFA to enforce sanctions against Newcastle and the player if he refused an invite or had a 'dodgy injury.' He can choose to retire from international football, but if he does that it ends his hopes of World Cup as it won't go down well at NFF and he has little international experience to compete against others higher up international pecking order.

Don't know if you remember Efan Ekoku of Wimbledon, but he opted for Nigeria late in career for same reason - no chance of ever getting to World Cup without doing that and his was worse as I'm pretty sure he did it round about time of World Cup. Ameobi could have tried that, but he'd have been taking big chance. NFF may not have called again if he refused this time.

If Ameobi could refuse and tried to go to court, that would end up in all sorts of shit, plus the end of his World Cup hopes. He's desperate for that. If Nigeria fail to qualify; he'll probably retire from internationals pdq.

I can understand an argument which might state that European football even has a moral obligation towards a break during the African Cup of Nations - because, especially with an increasing number of African players playing in Europe, the tournament should be given the space in which to prosper, both in terms of international viewership and prestige and in terms of footballing development; with players free to compete without upsetting their clubs, upsetting their club's supporters, and potentially disrupting their club careers. And whether in conjunction with or regardless of this argument, European clubs perhaps could benefit on the pitch from a break which prevents them missing players, and which allows the remainder of their squads significant time for recuperation.

Personally, I think that an extended break every January might prolong domestic European seasons too much, and I'm not convinced it would benefit those players who were afforded the time to recuperate (I'm not sure that tiredness is often a great excuse for poor performances; and then should we care how tired players become anyway - for it isn't as though the fans' entertainment is at the forefront of many teams' minds even when everyone is fresh and fit). More, in England, where there isn't currently a winter break, the flurry of games over the Christmas season are traditional, frequently provide entertainment, are even a fundamental part of the holiday period. I'm dubious about any schedule change which might further marginalise supporters.

Regarding Ameobi, though I appreciate that the wider situation is problematic, ultimately I'm not convinced that international federations should be able to ban players from club competition where players determine to remain with their clubs. I'm sure Ameobi was eager to play in the ACN, whether as an end in itself or with an eye on the World Cup - but if we've told him that we need him in January, my guess is that he'll be okay with staying and playing for us. I admit my greatest concern is that Pardew's comment implies we are going to sell a forward in January, and certainly without having a replacement already in place.

I think the club are more to blame than Ameobi for his role at Newcastle throughout his career. I think he'd be an acceptable fourth choice, say, for us to have even now, but we've had to rely on him as our main reserve or even as a first choice player for significant periods during his career, largely because we've signed the wrong players or failed to properly bolster our squad. I confess that, with footballers so transient in today's game, I like that Ameobi has been with us his whole career long, and feel that, considering his wage level and the position in the squad he should have occupied for much of it, we probably couldn't have done a lot better than him. When he does score, it is especially meaningful for me, and I'll miss him when he's no longer about.

Bashmachkin wrote:I can understand an argument which might state that European football even has a moral obligation towards a break during the African Cup of Nations - because, especially with an increasing number of African players playing in Europe, the tournament should be given the space in which to prosper, both in terms of international viewership and prestige and in terms of footballing development; with players free to compete without upsetting their clubs, upsetting their club's supporters, and potentially disrupting their club careers. And whether in conjunction with or regardless of this argument, European clubs perhaps could benefit on the pitch from a break which prevents them missing players, and which allows the remainder of their squads significant time for recuperation.

Personally, I think that an extended break every January might prolong domestic European seasons too much, and I'm not convinced it would benefit those players who were afforded the time to recuperate (I'm not sure that tiredness is often a great excuse for poor performances; and then should we care how tired players become anyway - for it isn't as though the fans' entertainment is at the forefront of many teams' minds even when everyone is fresh and fit).

Well it is an excuse claimed by managers on a regular basis in Europe. They should not be having it both ways. If tiredness is a factor a break would help. If not, they should quit complaining about it.

More, in England, where there isn't currently a winter break, the flurry of games over the Christmas season are traditional, frequently provide entertainment, are even a fundamental part of the holiday period. I'm dubious about any schedule change which might further marginalise supporters.

Traditions can change and in any case the ACN begins mid January. There is no need to affect the Xmas holiday or even New Year programme in Europe. Furthermore the timing of the ACN and winter-breaks in Europe can be co-ordinated through negotiation.

Regarding Ameobi, though I appreciate that the wider situation is problematic, ultimately I'm not convinced that international federations should be able to ban players from club competition where players determine to remain with their clubs. I'm sure Ameobi was eager to play in the ACN, whether as an end in itself or with an eye on the World Cup - but if we've told him that we need him in January, my guess is that he'll be okay with staying and playing for us. I admit my greatest concern is that Pardew's comment implies we are going to sell a forward in January, and certainly without having a replacement already in place.

Then Pardew should shut his gob.

I think the club are more to blame than Ameobi for his role at Newcastle throughout his career. I think he'd be an acceptable fourth choice, say, for us to have even now, but we've had to rely on him as our main reserve or even as a first choice player for significant periods during his career, largely because we've signed the wrong players or failed to properly bolster our squad. I confess that, with footballers so transient in today's game, I like that Ameobi has been with us his whole career long, and feel that, considering his wage level and the position in the squad he should have occupied for much of it, we probably couldn't have done a lot better than him. When he does score, it is especially meaningful for me, and I'll miss him when he's no longer about.

If he is just a fourth choice, it makes Kimbo's argument about Nigeria's bench a little unfair on him. There is chance Keshi won't pick him, but Pardew's comments could easily backfire by pissing him off. Seems a bit silly to make comments like he has when this is Keshi's decision not his.

You are right, I'm really conflating the perennially raised issue of a Christmas break in England with the idea of an extended break for the African Cup of Nations - which might make good sense if it occurred for three or four weeks from mid-January, after a busy domestic Christmas and New Year. My hesitation would still concern whether it disrupts or prolongs domestic seasons too much.

Generally, I support Newcastle and don't care a great deal about international football. However, I don't agree with the way in which clubs try to hamper or prevent players playing for their countries; especially since their efforts are particularly bold when it comes to players from smaller countries, or countries outside of Europe, often carrying the implication that representing some countries is more important than representing others.

Anyway, the latest on Ameobi is that Keshi has admitted he's aware Ameobi might not be available for selection; and the suggestion is that there's a clause in Ameobi's contract which prevents him choosing country over club. I don't know whether that clause will stand.

I do think Pardew's comments were too assertive and premature. I also think they were deliberately mysterious and leading, meant to suggest to the fans in an oblique way that we'll sell a striker and shouldn't necessarily expect a replacement - so then if that happens, the club can say, 'Well, you were told and so what's the fuss'; and if anything better happens, like we don't sell a forward, or we do sell one but bring in a replacement, then we'll proclaim it a great treat and a success. I think there's a huge problem with the way the club deals with everyone, from the players to the fans to the authorities and federations, and the result is that nobody wants to compromise with us, much less accede to our demands.

To be honest I don't even care about us missing Shola that much, just the idea of my club being pushed around by some part time international team offends me. Club football is what keeps this sport alive, International football is NOT special, fuck Nigeria and fuck FIFA and their dodgy middle-eastern world cup.

Kimbo wrote:To be honest I don't even care about us missing Shola that much, just the idea of my club being pushed around by some part time international team offends me. Club football is what keeps this sport alive, International football is NOT special, fuck Nigeria and fuck FIFA and their dodgy middle-eastern world cup.

But it is your club that is trying to push Nigeria around. Pardew has been a grade A ass over this. He has pissed off Keshi and the NFF in a way that is ludicrous. Keshi may well not have picked Ameobi. After all Redknapp doesn't like it and said he hoped Morocco didn't pick Taraabt. Redknapp got what he wanted without pissing them off. Pardew should have done the same.

This is not a dodgy cup; it is Africa's most important international competition and it is essential from a developmental point of view. That doesn't apply so much this time, but it is a special case. This was due to take place in Libya, but was moved due to the Arab Spring there.

Bashmachkin wrote:You are right, I'm really conflating the perennially raised issue of a Christmas break in England with the idea of an extended break for the African Cup of Nations - which might make good sense if it occurred for three or four weeks from mid-January, after a busy domestic Christmas and New Year. My hesitation would still concern whether it disrupts or prolongs domestic seasons too much.

Generally, I support Newcastle and don't care a great deal about international football. However, I don't agree with the way in which clubs try to hamper or prevent players playing for their countries; especially since their efforts are particularly bold when it comes to players from smaller countries, or countries outside of Europe, often carrying the implication that representing some countries is more important than representing others.

Anyway, the latest on Ameobi is that Keshi has admitted he's aware Ameobi might not be available for selection; and the suggestion is that there's a clause in Ameobi's contract which prevents him choosing country over club. I don't know whether that clause will stand.

I do think Pardew's comments were too assertive and premature. I also think they were deliberately mysterious and leading, meant to suggest to the fans in an oblique way that we'll sell a striker and shouldn't necessarily expect a replacement - so then if that happens, the club can say, 'Well, you were told and so what's the fuss'; and if anything better happens, like we don't sell a forward, or we do sell one but bring in a replacement, then we'll proclaim it a great treat and a success. I think there's a huge problem with the way the club deals with everyone, from the players to the fans to the authorities and federations, and the result is that nobody wants to compromise with us, much less accede to our demands.

Hmm. I thought Pardew made it clear that he didn't want Ameobi to go to the friendly against Venezuela, but he did. Secondly Ameobi had turned down Nigeria previously. Why would Pardew think such a contract clause necessary? In terms of friendlies I have more sympathy with clubs, but this is an important competition. It would be like an African club that play in the summer saying piss off to a player wanting to go play for his country at the Euros, or an American club doing it. I bet that would get short shrift on here and in Europe as a whole.

Kimbo wrote:To be honest I don't even care about us missing Shola that much, just the idea of my club being pushed around by some part time international team offends me. Club football is what keeps this sport alive, International football is NOT special, fuck Nigeria and fuck FIFA and their dodgy middle-eastern world cup.

But it is your club that is trying to push Nigeria around. Pardew has been a grade A ass over this. He has pissed off Keshi and the NFF in a way that is ludicrous. Keshi may well not have picked Ameobi. After all Redknapp doesn't like it and said he hoped Morocco didn't pick Taraabt. Redknapp got what he wanted without pissing them off. Pardew should have done the same.

This is not a dodgy cup; it is Africa's most important international competition and it is essential from a developmental point of view. That doesn't apply so much this time, but it is a special case. This was due to take place in Libya, but was moved due to the Arab Spring there.

Newcastle are an English team, not an African one. Good for them that they have a tournament that is important to them, but it means about as much to me as Olympic kayaking. I honestly don't see why an English team should bend over because there is a tournament in another continent.

Pardew hasn't handled it well, but he is shit with the media, it's to be expected.

Kimbo wrote:To be honest I don't even care about us missing Shola that much, just the idea of my club being pushed around by some part time international team offends me. Club football is what keeps this sport alive, International football is NOT special, fuck Nigeria and fuck FIFA and their dodgy middle-eastern world cup.

But it is your club that is trying to push Nigeria around. Pardew has been a grade A ass over this. He has pissed off Keshi and the NFF in a way that is ludicrous. Keshi may well not have picked Ameobi. After all Redknapp doesn't like it and said he hoped Morocco didn't pick Taraabt. Redknapp got what he wanted without pissing them off. Pardew should have done the same.

This is not a dodgy cup; it is Africa's most important international competition and it is essential from a developmental point of view. That doesn't apply so much this time, but it is a special case. This was due to take place in Libya, but was moved due to the Arab Spring there.

Newcastle are an English team, not an African one. Good for them that they have a tournament that is important to them, but it means about as much to me as Olympic kayaking. I honestly don't see why an English team should bend over because there is a tournament in another continent.

Pardew hasn't handled it well, but he is shit with the media, it's to be expected.

Doesn't matter. All club teams have to release players for these international competitions. It applies to other leagues too. Pardew has handled this like a complete arse. He might even have pissed of Keshi to call up Ameobi when he might not have done.

Kimbo wrote:To be honest I don't even care about us missing Shola that much, just the idea of my club being pushed around by some part time international team offends me. Club football is what keeps this sport alive, International football is NOT special, fuck Nigeria and fuck FIFA and their dodgy middle-eastern world cup.

But it is your club that is trying to push Nigeria around. Pardew has been a grade A ass over this. He has pissed off Keshi and the NFF in a way that is ludicrous. Keshi may well not have picked Ameobi. After all Redknapp doesn't like it and said he hoped Morocco didn't pick Taraabt. Redknapp got what he wanted without pissing them off. Pardew should have done the same.

This is not a dodgy cup; it is Africa's most important international competition and it is essential from a developmental point of view. That doesn't apply so much this time, but it is a special case. This was due to take place in Libya, but was moved due to the Arab Spring there.

Newcastle are an English team, not an African one. Good for them that they have a tournament that is important to them, but it means about as much to me as Olympic kayaking. I honestly don't see why an English team should bend over because there is a tournament in another continent.

Pardew hasn't handled it well, but he is shit with the media, it's to be expected.

Doesn't matter. All club teams have to release players for these international competitions. It applies to other leagues too. Pardew has handled this like a complete arse. He might even have pissed of Keshi to call up Ameobi when he might not have done.

Well yeah because FIFA(a blatantly corrupt organization that answers to no one) makes international football the priority as that is where it makes it's money. Is that the side you want to be on EMP???

Kimbo wrote:To be honest I don't even care about us missing Shola that much, just the idea of my club being pushed around by some part time international team offends me. Club football is what keeps this sport alive, International football is NOT special, fuck Nigeria and fuck FIFA and their dodgy middle-eastern world cup.

But it is your club that is trying to push Nigeria around. Pardew has been a grade A ass over this. He has pissed off Keshi and the NFF in a way that is ludicrous. Keshi may well not have picked Ameobi. After all Redknapp doesn't like it and said he hoped Morocco didn't pick Taraabt. Redknapp got what he wanted without pissing them off. Pardew should have done the same.

This is not a dodgy cup; it is Africa's most important international competition and it is essential from a developmental point of view. That doesn't apply so much this time, but it is a special case. This was due to take place in Libya, but was moved due to the Arab Spring there.

Newcastle are an English team, not an African one. Good for them that they have a tournament that is important to them, but it means about as much to me as Olympic kayaking. I honestly don't see why an English team should bend over because there is a tournament in another continent.

Pardew hasn't handled it well, but he is shit with the media, it's to be expected.

Doesn't matter. All club teams have to release players for these international competitions. It applies to other leagues too. Pardew has handled this like a complete arse. He might even have pissed of Keshi to call up Ameobi when he might not have done.

Well yeah because FIFA(a blatantly corrupt organization that answers to no one) makes international football the priority as that is where it makes it's money. Is that the side you want to be on EMP???

I told you lot about Warner way before others latched on. FIFA is corrupt and various FAs are arrogant. I have little to no time for either, but I also have no time for Eurocentric agendas and want to see African football develop. The ACN is essential not just for African football, but Africa's development.

It's a massive non-event. After all those years africans still can't play football, now I agree with EMP that clubs should hand over the players to the respective FA's, cause it's their fault they signed an African to begin with.